But now Juan Gonzalez, Mike Hampton, Doug Mientkiewicz,
Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez and Ichiro Suzuki, respectively, have new teams
and each has been the major catalyst in his current club's sizable successes
in 2001.

1. Gonzalez  He never did overcome his problems
in Detroit last year, despite the Tigers' seeming commitment to make him the
cornerstone of the franchise. Damaged goods, Cleveland signed him for a mere
$10 million this season, far below what he stands to make this winter. But
he has more than filled Ramirez's shoes (.359, 10 HR, 40 RBI), while providing
better defense in right field and the Tribe appear ticketed for a playoff return.

2. Hampton  Just as the Mets had hoped, Hampton
ultimately solidified their rotation and was largely responsible for their National
League championship in 2000. But, to the dismay of many, he opted to bolt for
pitching purgatory in Colorado in the offseason. His impressive start (5-1 ledger,
2.83 ERA) has quieted the naysayers and it's obvious Hampton likes the taste
of Coors. He's now made the Rockies a legitimate threat to win the NL.

3. Mientkiewicz  Okay, technically, he didn't
switch teams. But he was a disaster in 1999, hitting .229 with two homers in
118 games. He was stellar in Salt Lake last year, but only received a 14 at-bat
tryout with the big club after his heroics for the U.S.'s gold-medal winning
Olympic team in Sydney. Now he's the linchpin of the Twins' formerly punchless
lineup (.400, 8 HR, 29 RBI).

4. Pujols  St. Louis knew he'd be good. They
just didn't know he'd be this good this year. Pujols has played all over the
diamond and more than filled Mark McGwire's power vacuum. Good thing Tony La
Russa decided to keep the 21-year-old Pujols around after his torrid spring
play  the star rookie is as much an MVP candidate as he is a Rookie of
the Year hopeful (.381, 14 HR, 43 RBI).

5. Ramirez  After regaining his health, Ramirez
nearly willed Cleveland into October by himself last fall. This year he's been
unconscious (.407, 13 HR, 46 RBI) from day one. Just wait until Boston gets
Nomar Garciaparra back.

6. Ichiro  Japanese baseball's most dominant
hitter in the 1990's, Ichiro has maintained his lofty level in the U.S. 
and he's done it despite the crush of Japanese paparazzi that shadow his every
move. He leads the AL with 64 hits (.362 average), has hit safely in 36 of the
Mariners' 38 games, currently sports a 20-game hitting streak and he's stolen
11 bags. He's the sparkplug of Seattle's offense, a constant distraction to
opposing pitchers and may be the best defensive outfielder in the league. His
influence has transformed the M's from a plodding bunch of sluggers (think Weaver's
Orioles) into an aggressive, dynamic team that manufactures runs (think Herzog's
Cardinals). Ichiro has been better than advertised this winter, and we thought
he'd be very good then.

So which 2001 newcomer has had the most prolific impact
on his new team?

So how often do you see a pitcher strike out 20 batters in one game and see
a no-hitter thrown later in the week?

Randy Johnson was unbelievable during his domination of the Reds  a game
where 92 of his 124 pitches went for strikes; a game where he didn't walk one
batter; a game that denied him a deserved place in baseball's record book because
it went into overtime, even though Johnson only worked for the first nine of
the contest's 11 innings.

A.J. Burnett walked nine, hit one batter, uncorked a wild pitch and only threw
65 of his 128 pitches for strikes Saturday night, quite a stat line considering
he didn't allow a hit. Some Padres felt Burnett's wildness contributed to his
no-hit bid. Regardless, his fastball was wicked and his accomplishment all the
more impressive considering it was only his second start in a season that was
delayed by a foot fracture. Quite a memorable performance in its own right.

Thanks for all the responses from last week — I hope I answered all your questions
and addressed your comments satisfactorily. Realignment always seems to be a
hot topic, whether it's baseball or the NFL.

From the mailbag:

Wow, I really like your radical plan for realignment. Eastern and Western
baseball leagues, with regionally decided divisions. It encourages regional
rivalries, eliminates the DH, and shakes up the ailing AL and NL. I like that
the larger divisions, Atlantic and Midwest, have the traditionally weaker teams
as well. Maybe too radical for reality, but it never hurts to dream. 
Will Ashmore

When the commissioner talks about dissolving some teams to improve the game
and make the remaining teams better, it is ridiculous to consider Minnesota.
This is a team that has won two World Series in the last 14 years by developing
their own talent and are on the verge of breaking out again by developing their
own talent and making smart trades without spending the big bucks and contributing
to the problems in baseball. In my opinion he should be talking about ridding
MLB of teams like Texas and Baltimore. Texas and Baltimore are the real reason
the talent level in MLB suffers. These teams sign many of the big name free
agents for large contracts, and then proceed to fail to win. If MLB were to
dissolve Minnesota  besides pitching  there may not be a lot of
players moving on to help other teams. On the other hand, if you were to dissolve
Texas, there would be a whole bunch of star players out there to contribute
to other teams. If Bud wants to continue to contribute to making baseball an
individual player sport, then dissolve Minnesota. But if Bud really wants to
improve MLB by attempting to restore baseball to what it should be, a team sport,
then dissolve Texas.  Gary Stoll

We've heard it before a thousand times. This city or that city can't support
baseball. Then they put together a great team and, miraculously, the city in
question becomes a great baseball town like Cleveland. Florida has two teams
with unsettled ownership and a couple of lousy stadiums, particularly the Marlins.
Change the ownership and build a new stadium in Miami and in a few years they'll
be as good as any other baseball town.  Geoff Klein

I was in St. Pete two weeks ago and saw my first (and last) indoor baseball
game. The combination of a horrible stadium and very few fans make the Tampa
Bay Disar-Rays the No. 1 team to dissolve. The dissolution of two teams is probably
the best course for MLB to take, but it would be a major surprise if the Players'
Association ever accepts such drastic measures. It is, however, refreshing to
hear that Mr. Selig is at least considering contraction. I guess ya never know!!
 Jack Sparler

Hal Bodley has been hanging around Bud Selig too much. Contraction according
to Bodley would be good for the game. To eliminate MLB from the third largest
state is a good idea? Minnesota was one of the first teams to draw three million
people in a season. That's a fan base you want to desert? Players being traded
away are the big reasons the Marlin and Expo fans became disillusioned with
the game. The Devil Rays have only been around for three seasons, it's a little
early to be playing taps there. In addition, if you eliminate four major league
teams, you will also have to cut 20 minor league teams. That doesn't sound so
good. Where is the proof that contraction would be the cure-all? If it doesn't
work, then what? Cut four more teams? You don't grow a business by making cuts,
you grow it by evening the playing field, and making fans in every city believe
that even if they aren't going to win this year, help is on the way. 
Kevin Lee

I really liked your article on potential contraction/relocation/realignment.
I agree with you on what to do with the weaker clubs. However, I'd like to see
baseball go back to two divisions per league. How impressive is it to win a
4-team division? Not very. And I'd hate to see a division winner with a losing
record. Remember, we were heading toward that result in '94 before the strike
ended things. Such an occurrence would be simply repulsive.  Greg Simons

How about grouping teams by markets. Put the Yanks, Mets and the other "Big
Budget" teams in one league; teams in the middle in another league; and teams
like Pittsburgh and Montreal in another. Revenue sharing won't work, but the
way I see it, if you can't level the field, at least get teams that are on the
same level on the same level.  James D'angelo

What a great idea! I'm referring to the idea of an Eastern League and a
Western League. It would cut down on travel for the players, therefore they'd
be less fatigued and, logically, would perform better  a.k.a. put up bigger
numbers. Secondly, it would provide an increased onus on rivalries. It would
be really cool to have the Mets/Yankees, Cubbies/Chisox and Dodgers/Angels all
in their own divisions. As a huge Mets fan, I'd love to compete all season long
with the dreaded Yanks. And last, but not least, YES an end to the DH! It's
been a disaster to pitching in the AL, especially the last few years when the
umps haven't helped any by shrinking the strike zone to the size of a quarter.
 Brian Masini

Nate Davis covers baseball for USATODAY.com. To send feedback, click here.
The best reader e-mail of the week will be posted in this column.